Spinal Cord Stimulator

Salonpas Pain Relieving Patch - 120 PatchesIf you are having pain in your legs, arms and parts of your back not relieved by surgery or meds, ask your doctor/surgeon about the Spinal Cord Stimulator, don't follow my mistakes.

I have had (4) back surgeries, and I still have what has, for the past (5) years, been called Neuropathy pain in my legs/feet.  When all of this started I didn't even have back pain, just really painful outer left leg pain.  The doctor put me on a steroid pack and neurontin.  I got a little pain relief, but persisted.  I was referred to a Neurologist.  He got a MRI done of neck and back.  In addition to the back problems I started having pain, numbness and loss of feeling in my left arm/hand.  The MRI showed a large herniated disk in the neck and lower back.  The first surgery was (10) hours, had to be interupted due to a decline in vital signs.  I was in more pain after the first surgery, so bad I wanted to die, despite being on pain meds.  It took (40) days to convince the Neurosurgeon to reoperate, and he found that he rested a bone on the nerve root.  Anyway, even the second surgery was not done correctly, so I had back pain, which I never had before surgery, and I continued to have bad left leg pain.  A move resulted in my finding an orthopedic surgeon for back and left leg pain still not resolved, so a third surgery was done after it was found that the the instruments' screws in the lower back were burrowing holes in the bones and were within inches of paralyzing me, so the instrumentation was taken out, along with measures done to relieve the pain, but it didn't.
A move again allowed me to seek out another orthopedic surgeon, although I had to drive seven hours from my home to get to him.  I explained to him, my back pain aside I still have leg pain and no surgery before or meds have really helped that and now having similar pain starting in the rights.  He did surgery, but as I was waking up from the first surgery, I could not move my legs so after some debate with the recovery room nurse I was rushed back into surgery and had blood/fluids removed that were placing pressure on the spinal cord not allowing me to move my legs.  While I was waking up from the second surgery, the surgeon said we have your back fixed and I have a plan involving surgery to correct the pain in the legs.  I was really mad, I just woke up from a fourth surgery and he was telling me that I needed additional surgery. 
During the follow up care he explained to me it was a Spinal Cord Stimulator, so I did some research and although not wanting to rush into another surgery, I wanted/needed the pain in my legs to stop. 

All of the above has led to this:  in the research I found the Spinal Cord Stimulator has worked in failed back surgeries and neuropathy pain.  It involves a consultation with a pain management specialist to do what is called the trial.  This involves as an outpatient procedure the temporary placement of electrodes in your back and the wires outside of the body with a control device so that you can adjust to obtain a higher comfort level.  After three to five days it is removed and the insurance company is provided the data and if you it reduces your level of pain 50% or more and or reduces the amount of pain medicine then you may be approved for the permanent placement, which involves the internal placement of electrodes attached to a control device inplanted in the lower abd, or upper buttocks area.  I am told I will have to spend the night in the hospital.  I am at the point of finding a pain management specialist.  My surgeon in Tucson, would prefer that it be done in Tucson, but it is as noted above a long drive.  There is a doctor in Las Vegas who can do the trial aspect, and that would only be a hour and a half away, so I am filling out his paperwork to see if I meet his criteria.  There is also a pain management doctor in the town where I live, but I have to wait a month just for the consultation and then I would still have to wait for the insurance to accept, which I am told could take another month, and I am not sure I trust his ability to do it, not to mention that it be done so that I do not get an infection.  I will work on all and keep you updated. 

Do the research, like I did on the internet, ask your doctor/surgeon, and see if it is a viable alternative for you. 
 

Fun and danger in the Arizona Desert

Living and hiking in the Arizona desert can be fun, but not without its' dangers.  Aside from the obvious snake and hyperthermia are the mine shafts.  They look fun, and I have ventured into some myself, even drove an ATV into one, but they can be dangerous.  I am certainly not advocating that what I did was right, in fact it was dangerous and stupid.  There are measures being taken across the state to restrict access, because, as noted, they are dangerous.  There are those mines that you can walk into, the problem is that you can't always see and although it looks safe there are alot of mines that have shafts burrowing down off the main one and you may not see it and fall a long way.  There are animals, like bats that inhabit the tunnels and disrupting their sleep/wake cycle can be dangerous for you and them.  These mines were dug some time ago, and you can not be certain of the integrity of the mine, so whether they are boarded up, have bars, or barbed wire there is a reason for it-they are not safe.  Walking into, and even driving into mines were stupid decisions and I was lucky I was not injured-you may not be, so please stay out.  Wear the appropriate attire & gear, drink lots of  water and enjoy the desert and all its' beauty.   

Tiger 21-a Millionaire's club

I have heard repeatedly that despite the poor economic situation we have been faced with for several years now, that there are more millionaires than ever before in history.  There is even a group of 180 members called Tiger 21, where you have to be worth at least $10 million.  Oh how nice it would be to belong to a group such as this one.  The annual fee for continued membership is $30K.  I do not know what benefits are afforded them for that amount, and Icertainly don't fault them for being rich, but I could think of many life changing ways to use the money.  It is my understanding that they only spend 3% of earnings to cover day to day costs, but these are people who's mortgages and cars are paid off, so it is easy to live on the 3%, but not to many of the rest of us have the luxury of having these items paid off.  Their philosphy on this matter is that it is most important to preserve than accumulate.  Again, easy enough when much of what you have is already paid off.  I also understand that they say the equivalence of four years of earnings is not sufficient when determining how much life insurance to have, but was not able to learn how many years they feel would be sufficient.

What can be taken out of this information?  Spend wisely and pay off debts as soon as possible.  Look at spending and saving habits, for instance: it doesn't make sense to have money in a savings account paying less 5% and owing on a credit card charging 12%.  A large number of people say the money in the savings account is there in case of a "rainy day", but remember the credit card can still afford you the monies needed for the "rainy day" but in the interim, you are paying less on it since you have reduced the debt.

Skin afflictions of dogs

Obviously dogs can not tell us when something is wrong, but there are signs that should be investigated.  When a dog starts to lick, scratch, and bite self continuously, since most of us think that dogs do that all the time, it is dismissed, but it is not normal and probably miserable. There are a number things that it might be, but one worth looking into is:  ACRAL LICK DERMATITIS.  Information for this can be found at:       dog-health-works.com.
Veterinarian's Best Hot Spot Itch Relief Spray, 8oz

Just back from Tucson

Went to Tucson AZ for the past couple of days, and although the temperature during the day is about the same as in Bullhead City AZ, where we live, the lows were in the 80's.  That was the lows!!! It made even 05:30AM walks unpleasant.  It is important to remember to drink lots of water, even early in the morning and late in the evening.  In the desert the low humidity and blowing winds depletes a body of fluid without even realizing it.   I even saw one dogs' owner had provided the dog with shoes.  The ground is hotter than people realize, and when it is as hot as it is here, people have to be even more cautious.  Before sunrise and sunset, with temps. in the 80's and higher, don't leave pets out in the vehicle.  The heat can be just as deadly without the affects of the sun.  It is afterall the heat, not the sun's rays.
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer SPF 45 Twin Pack 3.0 Fl Oz

Travel Restrictions you need to know before you go.

We have traveled extensively with our dog Toby and found that National Parks do not allow dogs on the trails.  The only place within the park they may allow is parking lots and the streets.  Given the summer travel season, and people wanting to travel with their dogs, thought you should know.

Additionally, there are many restrictions on dog access on the beaches in California.  There are a couple of designated ones that we have found, if interested in locations, please advise.  There are even some beaches that allow dogs during certain hours.  Again, wanted to save you our aggrevation.

Antihistamines for Dogs

Throughout the year, depending on where you live, dogs, like people, can suffer from allergies, and  sometimes it is a matter of traveling to a new area that an allergy develops.  It can be, of course, more difficult to recognize because they can not tell us they are suffering and the signs can be subtle, therefore once determined by your vet that your dog, does in fact have allergies, discuss it with them , because there are some antihistamines that are safe for dog use, however, they cannot contain a decongestant!!!.  As with humans not all antihistamines work for all dogs, so you may have to experiment.  The three medicines that I have been told are safe, are:  Chlorpheniramine Maleate (this medication comes in liquid and tablet formula), next is Tavist-Allergy(the generic Clemastine Fumarate is OK), and finally Benadryl.  The dosing and frequency for these medications are based on weight, so again discuss if safe for your dog with your vet, and ask for the appropriate dose and frequency.  Suffering with allergies is no fun for people or pet, so help your pets out, if ok with your vet, by giving antihistamines.  Again, they can not have decongestant!!!
8 in 1 Excel Allergy Relief for Dogs, 36 Count Bottle